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postage import taxes

Posted: Thu May 5, 2022 8:22pm
16 replies424 views5 members subscribed
Maureen73

Posts: 88

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Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 31 Jan 2017

British Expats In Spain Outraged By Taxes On Goods To And From The UK

By Ron Howells • 07 April 2021 • 19:39

British Expats In Spain Outraged By Taxes On Goods To And From The UK. image: Pexels

British Expats In Spain Hit By Taxes On Goods To And From The UK.

British Expats in Spain have been hit with unexpected import fees when ordering goods from Britain since the end of the Brexit transition phase. Most had assumed that the deal signed by Boris Johnson, which included a promise of tariff-free trade, meant that they could continue ordering goods from the UK with no additional cost. Instead, they have been receiving hefty bills, sometimes preferring not to accept or collect the item but to apply for a refund from the company they ordered the goods from instead.

As of December 31st, when the Brexit transition period officially ended, the cost of sending packages to and from UK has shot up. Most of us were aware that Brexit was going to affect importation and exportation businesses, but what about the consequences for individual people?


One of the main issues that many UK residents in Spain have already noticed are the high taxes, which must be paid on sending and receiving packages to and from the UK and Spain.

The taxes imposed occur whether you are ordering goods from the UK, if you send a package to the UK, or if friends and family in the UK send you a package in Spain. Typically, you have to pay the fees before you’re allowed to pick the item up at the post, delivery office or online.

Graham Hunt, an estate agent in Valencia tweeted “Daughter’s friend just received a package from the UK. Not allowed to pick it up without paying customs and taxes, in this case, €79. That’s a price increase of 20% in effect. Watch UK exports dry up over next 6 months as EU buyers realise”.


Expats across Europe also have to pay the tax hikes

“We bought a €47 shelf from Next for our bathroom,” said Thom Basely, who lives in Marseille. “On the morning it was supposed to be delivered we received an ‘import duty/tax’ demand for over €30, like a ransom note. It came as a complete surprise.”

A Frankfurt resident who ordered cycle clothing from a UK company was sent a tax and customs demand for €102, while a woman in the Netherlands who bought trousers in December “with no issues” faced a €40 bill for two more pairs ordered in January.


A leading French consumer website cited the example of a pair of trainers ordered from a UK website for £270 (€315) but manufactured in and shipped from China, saying customs duty of 16.9% and 20% French VAT would bring their cost to about £378 (€442).

And while continental buyers are no longer charged British VAT on UK purchases, they must now pay local VAT in their country of residence – although this is waived for orders under €22 until 31 July. Platforms such as Amazon are entitled to collect continental VAT on orders worth less than €150.

“It’s a hugely complex situation,” Hickson said. “My recommendation to anyone in the EU looking to buy goods in the UK is: don’t order anything until you know what the charges and VAT will be. And be patient. This should all sort itself out eventually, but it’s going to take some time.”

Chris Hickson, a retired logistics and freight forwarding expert living in France, said many people may have been surprised because “they believed the tariff-free trade deal negotiated between the UK and EU meant there would be no extra charges”.

Sources: The Times Social Media The Guardian

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Go BackBritish Expats In Spain Outraged By Taxes On Goods To And From The UK

By Ron Howells • 07 April 2021 • 19:39

British Expats In Spain Outraged By Taxes On Goods To And From The UK. image: Pexels

British Expats In Spain Hit By Taxes On Goods To And From The UK.

British Expats in Spain have been hit with unexpected import fees when ordering goods from Britain since the end of the Brexit transition phase. Most had assumed that the deal signed by Boris Johnson, which included a promise of tariff-free trade, meant that they could continue ordering goods from the UK with no additional cost. Instead, they have been receiving hefty bills, sometimes preferring not to accept or collect the item but to apply for a refund from the company they ordered the goods from instead.

As of December 31st, when the Brexit transition period officially ended, the cost of sending packages to and from UK has shot up. Most of us were aware that Brexit was going to affect importation and exportation businesses, but what about the consequences for individual people?


One of the main issues that many UK residents in Spain have already noticed are the high taxes, which must be paid on sending and receiving packages to and from the UK and Spain.

The taxes imposed occur whether you are ordering goods from the UK, if you send a package to the UK, or if friends and family in the UK send you a package in Spain. Typically, you have to pay the fees before you’re allowed to pick the item up at the post, delivery office or online.

Graham Hunt, an estate agent in Valencia tweeted “Daughter’s friend just received a package from the UK. Not allowed to pick it up without paying customs and taxes, in this case, €79. That’s a price increase of 20% in effect. Watch UK exports dry up over next 6 months as EU buyers realise”.


Expats across Europe also have to pay the tax hikes

“We bought a €47 shelf from Next for our bathroom,” said Thom Basely, who lives in Marseille. “On the morning it was supposed to be delivered we received an ‘import duty/tax’ demand for over €30, like a ransom note. It came as a complete surprise.”

A Frankfurt resident who ordered cycle clothing from a UK company was sent a tax and customs demand for €102, while a woman in the Netherlands who bought trousers in December “with no issues” faced a €40 bill for two more pairs ordered in January.


A leading French consumer website cited the example of a pair of trainers ordered from a UK website for £270 (€315) but manufactured in and shipped from China, saying customs duty of 16.9% and 20% French VAT would bring their cost to about £378 (€442).

And while continental buyers are no longer charged British VAT on UK purchases, they must now pay local VAT in their country of residence – although this is waived for orders under €22 until 31 July. Platforms such as Amazon are entitled to collect continental VAT on orders worth less than €150.

“It’s a hugely complex situation,” Hickson said. “My recommendation to anyone in the EU looking to buy goods in the UK is: don’t order anything until you know what the charges and VAT will be. And be patient. This should all sort itself out eventually, but it’s going to take some time.”

Chris Hickson, a retired logistics and freight forwarding expert living in France, said many people may have been surprised because “they believed the tariff-free trade deal negotiated between the UK and EU meant there would be no extra charges”.

Sources: The Times Social Media The Guardian

Share this story

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Derrymore

Posted: Fri May 6, 2022 1:37pm

Derrymore

Helpful member

Posts: 103

99 helpful points

Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 27 Jan 2020

Posted: Fri May 6, 2022 1:37pm

Hi Maureen73

When the UK voted for Brexit, there was only a small majority in favour of leaving the EU. You probably know that Scotland, Northern Ireland and London voted to remain. 

However Theresa May and Boris Johnson took a very hard Brexit approach due to political issues in the Tory party. This has led to the unfortunate situation you describe where people doing business with the UK are getting an awful lot of bother. 

Non-EU countries such as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland have agreements with the EU so trade and movement of people is almost seamless and bureaucracy is minimal. 

The only way round this problem is to source your stuff in the EU. Many sites including Amazon Deutschland and Ebay España have English translations. Ensure the stuff you're buying is sourced inside the EU.

Good luck 

hartcjhart

Posted: Fri May 6, 2022 9:46pm

hartcjhart

Very helpful member

Posts: 1071

924 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 26 Oct 2017

Posted: Fri May 6, 2022 9:46pm

Derrymore wrote on Fri May 6, 2022 1:37pm:

Hi Maureen73

When the UK voted for Brexit, there was only a small majority in favour of leaving the EU. You probably know that Scotland, Northern Ireland and London voted to remain. 

However Theresa May and Boris Johnson took a very hard Brexit approach due to political issues in the Tory party. This has led to the unfortunate situation you describe where people doing business with the UK are getting an awful lot of bother. 

Non-EU countries such as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland have agreements with the EU so trade and movement of people is almost seamless and bureaucracy is minimal. 

The only way round this problem is to source your stuff in the EU. Many sites including Amazon Deutschland and Ebay España have English translations. Ensure the stuff you're buying is sourced inside the EU.

Good luck 

let me correct you on 2 points,over a million more votes is in no way a small majority,and does not matter where or who voted it was a vote by the TOTAL UK

second theresa May never took a hard Brexit approach hence the mess we have now,

any country could make life easier for imports from the UK but wish not to, so if you want to moan moan to the Spanish Parliament

Derrymore

Posted: Sun May 8, 2022 5:43pm

Derrymore

Helpful member

Posts: 103

99 helpful points

Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 27 Jan 2020

Posted: Sun May 8, 2022 5:43pm

Every time I see a message such as yours, I thank my lucky stars I'm Irish, not British. 

DarioMartin

Posted: Sun May 8, 2022 7:03pm

DarioMartin

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 5342

6308 helpful points

Location: Vera

Joined: 16 Aug 2017

Posted: Sun May 8, 2022 7:03pm

hartcjhart wrote on Fri May 6, 2022 9:46pm:

let me correct you on 2 points,over a million more votes is in no way a small majority,and does not matter where or who voted it was a vote by the TOTAL UK

second theresa May never took a hard Brexit approach hence the mess we have now,

any country could make life easier for imports from the UK but wish not to, so if you want to moan moan to the Spanish Parliament

Why would any country sign an agreement with a partner who they know will act in bad faith and will renege on the agreement when it suits them?

Britain does not have a glowing reputation internationally, the leader is a two-faced buffoon without a shred of integrity and Britain is now just finding what Brexit actually means.

Apparently Brexit doesn’t mean Brexit. It means a collapsing economy, rising costs and inflation. An act, if you will, of gross mismanagement, corruption and national self-harm.  Brexit is proof positive that you never EVER put your countries economic and political future in the hands of an electorate that clearly had absolutely no idea what they were voting for - despite protests to the contrary.

I wonder if anyone explained to that worm Reese-mogg that “Brexit opportunities” meant “for the country”, not “for the Tories”….

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hartcjhart

Posted: Sun May 8, 2022 9:31pm

hartcjhart

Very helpful member

Posts: 1071

924 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 26 Oct 2017

Posted: Sun May 8, 2022 9:31pm

DarioMartin wrote on Sun May 8, 2022 7:03pm:

Why would any country sign an agreement with a partner who they know will act in bad faith and will renege on the agreement when it suits them?

Britain does not have a glowing reputation internationally, the leader is a two-faced buffoon without a shred of integrity and Britain is now just finding what Brexit actually means....

...

Apparently Brexit doesn’t mean Brexit. It means a collapsing economy, rising costs and inflation. An act, if you will, of gross mismanagement, corruption and national self-harm.  Brexit is proof positive that you never EVER put your countries economic and political future in the hands of an electorate that clearly had absolutely no idea what they were voting for - despite protests to the contrary.

I wonder if anyone explained to that worm Reese-mogg that “Brexit opportunities” meant “for the country”, not “for the Tories”….

all I willsya is you have your views and I have mine

L181SKY

Posted: Mon May 9, 2022 11:45am

L181SKY

Very helpful member

Posts: 999

690 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 24 Jan 2017

Posted: Mon May 9, 2022 11:45am

DarioMartin wrote on Sun May 8, 2022 7:03pm:

Why would any country sign an agreement with a partner who they know will act in bad faith and will renege on the agreement when it suits them?

Britain does not have a glowing reputation internationally, the leader is a two-faced buffoon without a shred of integrity and Britain is now just finding what Brexit actually means....

...

Apparently Brexit doesn’t mean Brexit. It means a collapsing economy, rising costs and inflation. An act, if you will, of gross mismanagement, corruption and national self-harm.  Brexit is proof positive that you never EVER put your countries economic and political future in the hands of an electorate that clearly had absolutely no idea what they were voting for - despite protests to the contrary.

I wonder if anyone explained to that worm Reese-mogg that “Brexit opportunities” meant “for the country”, not “for the Tories”….

We dont often agree Dario but you put this so well. So right 

L181SKY

Posted: Mon May 9, 2022 12:01pm

L181SKY

Very helpful member

Posts: 999

690 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 24 Jan 2017

Posted: Mon May 9, 2022 12:01pm

hartcjhart wrote on Sun May 8, 2022 9:31pm:

all I willsya is you have your views and I have mine

I think by Anyones standards ,out of 33,551,983 Votes.   1,269,501.  ONLY 3.78% is a VERY small majority.  Also, imho, a decision as important and lives changing as Brexit should have been a far higher percentage needed , more like 75%.  25,163,985 Votes either way.  

DarioMartin

Posted: Mon May 9, 2022 12:05pm

DarioMartin

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Posts: 5342

6308 helpful points

Location: Vera

Joined: 16 Aug 2017

Posted: Mon May 9, 2022 12:05pm

L181SKY wrote on Mon May 9, 2022 12:01pm:

I think by Anyones standards ,out of 33,551,983 Votes.   1,269,501.  ONLY 3.78% is a VERY small majority.  Also, imho, a decision as important and lives changing as Brexit should have been a far higher percentage needed , more like 75%.  25,163,985 Votes either way.  

Apropos of that, in IndyRef 1 for Scotland - wasn’t it 52% in favour of independence?  It didn’t go through though because it was not a super majority - 60% or more required.

And yet, in an INFORMATION ONLY referendum, 51.8% was deemed sufficient to damage the economy, trash Britains reputation internationally and cause all sorts of other issues.

That’s what happens when you put thieves in charge of the bank.  Their fingers are forever in the till.

L181SKY

Posted: Mon May 9, 2022 12:12pm

L181SKY

Very helpful member

Posts: 999

690 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 24 Jan 2017

Posted: Mon May 9, 2022 12:12pm

DarioMartin wrote on Mon May 9, 2022 12:05pm:

Apropos of that, in IndyRef 1 for Scotland - wasn’t it 52% in favour of independence?  It didn’t go through though because it was not a super majority - 60% or more required.

And yet, in an INFORMATION ONLY referendum, 51.8% was deemed sufficient to damage the economy, trash Britains reputation internationally and cause all sorts of other issues....

...

That’s what happens when you put thieves in charge of the bank.  Their fingers are forever in the till.

lol Dario.  the INFO ONLY.  ref is what gets my back up !    Yes, absolutely 60%. Beat us.  You are in the right place, Boris free haha.  

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